Google has revoked a critical permission to sync all files. (besides pictures and videos) Despite multiple appeals since mid-2024, Google has refused to reinstate it..
Google is stating security concerns as a reason for revoking the permission. This is hard to believe for us. Nextcloud has had this feature since its inception in 2016, and we have never heard about any security concerns from Google about it. Moreover, several Big Tech apps as well as Google’s own still have this. What we think: Google owning the platform means they can and are giving themselves preferential treatment.
The permission for read and write access to all file types for the Nextcloud Files app for Android was granted in 2011. In September 2024, an update of the Nextcloud app for Android was refused out of the blue. We have been asked to remove the permission to all files or use “a more privacy aware replacement” like Storage Access Framework (SAF) or MediaStore API.
SAF cannot be used, as it is for sharing/exposing our files to other apps, so the reviewer clearly misunderstood our app workflow. MediaStore API cannot be used as it does not allow access to other files, but only media files.
Despite multiple appeals from our side and sharing additional background, Google is not considering reinstating uploads for all files. Instead of working collaboratively to solve the issue, we only receive the same copy-and-paste answers or links to documentation. With nearly a million users and an 8-year history, it is hard to argue that our Android app has no credibility. So it is very surprising to get treated this way to the disadvantage of our users.
This might look like a small technical detail, but it is clearly part of a pattern of actions to fight the competition. What we are experiencing is a piece of the script from the Big Tech playbook.
The current oversight processes are absolutely useless against these billion-dollar companies. Even the fines against Meta and Apple under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in April 2025 were surprisingly low. Remember, fines can be up to 10% of the company’s total worldwide annual revenue. While fines of €200 million or €500 million, respectively, sound a lot, it could have been in the billions. These Big Tech firms earn that much money in a matter of days, so it amounts to barely a slap on the wrist.
IMO if available on F-Droid then there is no reason to use PlayStore version.
F-Droid, would use only it if I didn’t need specific apps only published on Play Store 